Question Lenovo 7303 7303ALB M58e won't post boot no video

[emophil]

Hello

I have had a Lenovo 7303 7303ALB and I also believe it is referred to as a M58e for over 10 years and its been working fine.

Now it wouldn't seem to post / boot. I don't see bios video pop up nor any other video for example the bios video.

Typically I would get a single beep that means that all systems are clear but I an no longer getting that.

I unplugged and re plugged all the cables and connectors and that didn't help.

I removed both memory sticks and I got a constant loud beep, put the memory back in and the constant beep went away. So it is recognizing the memory.

I can force the pc off by holding down the power button for 5 or so seconds, so something is working on that end.

So perhaps my video is just bad?

I removed the CR2032 cmos battery and measured it with a voltmeter, ir measured 2.96V, I put in a new one that measured 3.3V . No change.

What else should I check?

Thanks

 

[emophil]

update

I tried a ps/2 keyboard to see if that made a difference and still couldn't get into the bios and it still won't post or boot

I get nothing on the monitor, usually the bios info appears.

I also disconnected the dvd drive, hard drive and removed the wireless adapter card to see if that would make a difference and it didn't

not sure what is left to troubleshoot, perhaps the on board video failed..... I guess the power supply is ok...

I might remove the hard drive and toss the computer unless anyone has any ideas, I am happy to continue troubleshooting however ran out of ideas...

 

[emophil]

hello

I am looking for a generic replacement power supply for the following

https://www.ctsestore.com/products/...4-54y8806-for-7638-sff?variant=14577966645321



what is the form factor? or case / frame type? I am hoping to find something on ebay or amazon

 

[COLGeek]

That is a proprietary PSU, not any standard format.

Are you trying to replace the PSU in the Lenovo model this comes from? Or something else?

 

[emophil]

That is a proprietary PSU, not any standard format.

Are you trying to replace the PSU in the Lenovo model this comes from? Or something else?

yes from a lenovo thinkcenter 7303


I just found a few on ebay

 

[COLGeek]

If using the Lenovo, you'll need to replace with the same model (or similar) PSU.

Look at your local Craigslist for these parts, as well. There are likely vendors carrying these PCs who may be able to source a replacement rig (for spare parts).

 

[emophil]

If using the Lenovo, you'll need to replace with the same model (or similar) PSU.

Look at your local Craigslist for these parts, as well. There are likely vendors carrying these PCs who may be able to source a replacement rig (for spare parts).

i just ordered one off of ebay

 

[emophil]

back to the issue with the computer

this morning I got a loud contant beep with both ram sticks installed, this never happened before,

i removed both ram sticks and got the constant beep put them back in and the constant beep went away

weird stuff is going on, so I am going to swap the power supply and it that doesn't do it I will toss the computer

just to confirm I get no video or boot.....


it is an ami bios in the lenovo thinkcenter

also what is the definition of no post? is it when it doesn't successful complete the bios boot cycle???

if I get a beep error code does that mean it completed the post and found and error, or does a beep mean that it found an error and didn't complete post?

thanks

 

[COLGeek]

Sounds like a possible CPU or motherboard failure. I assume nothing ever appears on screen. Is that correct?

 

[emophil]

Sounds like a possible CPU or motherboard failure. I assume nothing ever appears on screen. Is that correct?

correct noting even appears on the screen

the power button works, at least it powers up the cpu fan and if I hold it down for a fwe seconds I can power down the pc. Does this mean that the cpu is working?

 

[COLGeek]

correct noting even appears on the screen

the power button works, at least it powers up the cpu fan and if I hold it down for a fwe seconds I can power down the pc. Does this mean that the cpu is working?

No. It just means the motherboard is getting power and the switch works.

 

[emophil]

No. It just means the motherboard is getting power and the switch works.

do the beeps at post need the cpu to be functional?

 

[COLGeek]

Have you looked at the beep codes for that system?

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/290920/Lenovo-Thinkcentre-M58-9960.html?page=82#manual

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht505216-post-beep-symptoms-thinkcentre

 

[COLGeek]

If I may ask, why are you trying to get this old rig running? Just for the challenge, nostalgia, or to recover data?

 

[emophil]

Have you looked at the beep codes for that system?

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/290920/Lenovo-Thinkcentre-M58-9960.html?page=82#manual

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht505216-post-beep-symptoms-thinkcentre

thanks for the two links

my beep code is not on the link.

I either get no beeps at all or just one continuous beep that goes on until it is powered off.

 

[COLGeek]

As stated earlier, sounds like a CPU/motherboard failure.

 

[emophil]

If I may ask, why are you trying to get this old rig running? Just for the challenge, nostalgia, or to recover data?

a little bit of everything, plus to show / teach my son how to troubleshoot.

It can't get easier then the situation I am in as it was a working system for over 10 years that out of the blue just didn't want to boot up one day. Access to the components is super easy.

I already ordered a power supply earlier today, it should arrive early next week. If that doesn't do it I would throw a E8400 or similar cpu at it for $7

 

[COLGeek]

a little bit of everything, plus to show / teach my son how to troubleshoot.

It can't get easier then the situation I am in as it was a working system for over 10 years that out of the blue just didn't want to boot up one day. Access to the components is super easy.

I already ordered a power supply earlier today, it should arrive early next week. If that doesn't do it I would throw a E8400 or similar cpu at it for $7

Understood. Good luck.

I'll be surprised if swapping the PSU solves the issue. It sounds like you have power.

Please share the outcome(s) when you can.

 

[emophil]

Understood. Good luck.

I'll be surprised if swapping the PSU solves the issue. It sounds like you have power.

Please share the outcome(s) when you can.

thank you

yes I agree about the power supply, however I believe there are 4 different voltage circuits in the supply and perhaps one went bad, this is rare but you never know.

It has an AMI BIOS and it is an thinkcenter lenovo IBM, error code charts that I have found for AMI and IBM both mention the power supply or mb/cpu for a continuous beep.

I will post my findings...

I will start a new thread asking about cpu options, it came with a E8400 not sure what my best options are for replacing it if the power supply doesn't fix it.